Do Dogs Need Sunscreen? What To Know, According to Veterinarians

Applying sunscreen should be part of your daily skin care routine — but should it be part of your dog’s, too? If they’re spending hours outside, veterinarians say yes. Dogs can get sunburns and skin cancer just like their owners, and SPF is one of the best ways to protect them from UV damage.

Below, vets explain everything you need to know about dog sunscreen, including when your pet should wear it and how to shop for the safest options. I also used experts’ guidance to round up the best dog sunscreens you can use at home or while traveling.

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Do dogs need to wear sunscreen?

Yes, dogs need to wear sunscreen when they’re outside for long periods, like during hikes, trips to the park and while relaxing on outdoor dog beds. “Dog sunscreen serves the same purpose as it does in humans: to protect the skin from damage caused by prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays,” says Dr. Andrew Simpson, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist at Animal Dermatology Clinics. And while all dogs can benefit from wearing a pet-safe SPF, some pups are more susceptible to sun damage than others. “Breeds with shorter, lighter coats like pit bulls, bull terriers, white boxers and Dalmatians are more at risk for sun damage, especially in sparsely-haired areas of the body or those without pigment,” says Simpson.

What are the best sunscreens for dogs?

Using veterinarians’ tips (all of which you can read through here), I curated a list of dog-safe sunscreens at major retailers to consider buying. And before you ask, no, you can’t use the sunscreen in your bathroom cabinet or floating around your beach bag on your pet’s skin. Sunscreen that’s safe for humans is not safe for dogs, which is why brands make canine-specific formulas like those below that you should stick to.

Best overall

Epi-Pet is the only FDA-compliant dog sunscreen on the market, according to the brand. Its aerosol spray formula is water-resistant, it has a non-greasy feel and it dries quickly. In addition to protecting dogs’ skin, the sunscreen conditions their coat since it’s made with ingredients like vitamin E. The spray has a vanilla fragrance, which may not be the best option for dogs with sensitive skin.

Best stick

Handy Hound’s sunscreen balm comes in a twist-up stick applicator, making it easy to put on smaller areas of dogs’ bodies like their noses and ears. It’s made from plant-based, vegan ingredients like coconut, raspberry, carrot, cedarwood and lavender. Plus, it doubles as a moisturizer.

Best non-aerosol spray

This sunscreen comes in a non-aerosol bottle, which some people (and their pets) prefer to aerosol bottles. It’s made with shea butter and coconut oil to hydrate dogs’ skin and coat. The sunscreen is best for covering larger parts of dogs’ bodies, like their bellies. To avoid getting sunscreen in dogs’ eyes, don’t spray it on or near their face.

Best wipes

These pre-moistened sunscreen wipes help you quickly cover a large part of your dog’s body or target smaller spots. They have a non-greasy, non-sticky feel, as well as ingredients like chamomile flower extract, lanolin and aloe to soften skin. Each resealable package comes with 20 coconut-vanilla-scented wipes, which may not be the best option for dogs with sensitive skin.

How to shop for dog sunscreen

Veterinarians say it’s important to consider the following factors while shopping for dog sunscreen, all of which I took into consideration as I curated my list of recommendations above. If you have questions, talk to your dog’s vet.

• Ingredients: Dog sunscreen accounts for canines’ unique skin composition and fur coverage, plus it’s lick-safe, says Dr. Lisa Lippman, the director of virtual medicine at Bond Vet. That means it’s made with ingredients that won’t cause irritation upon skin contact, and it won’t make dogs sick if they lick it off. For example, zinc and para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) can be toxic for dogs if ingested, so dog sunscreen is made without it, says Simpon. Common ingredients you’ll find in dog sunscreen include titanium dioxide, benzophenone, octinoxate and aminobenzoic acid.
• Protection level: Most dog sunscreens are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so they don’t qualify for an official sun protection factor (SPF) rating, experts say. Many brands, however, give you an estimated SPF rating so you have some idea of the protection level. Also, prioritize buying a dog sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection, meaning protection from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, says Lippman.
• Formulation: Like sunscreen for humans, dog sunscreen comes in balms, lotions and sprays. Buy the one that works best for you and your pet. Some people find it easiest to use spray sunscreen on larger areas of their dog’s body like the stomach and a balm or lotion on the nose and ears.

How to apply dog sunscreen

If you plan on spending a while outside with your dog, especially if they have a lighter coat or are sparsely haired, apply sunscreen before you leave home and then reapply it every four to six hours, says Simpson. You may have to reapply more if your dog swims or frequently grooms specific parts of their body. Dog sunscreen’s packaging also usually has application instructions you can reference.

Regardless of what type of coat your dog has, it’s most important to target areas of their body that have little to no hair coverage, like their noses, ears, stomachs and groins, says Lippman. If your dog has bald spots anywhere on their body (the elbows are common, for example), make sure you apply sunscreen there, too. Generously and evenly distribute sunscreen across your dog’s skin, and make sure you avoid contact with their eyes.

From there, sunscreen application differs based on your dog’s coat.

• If your dog has a thick coat, you likely don’t have to apply sunscreen anywhere else on their body because dense hair provides a natural barrier against UV exposure, says Simpson.
• If your dog has a thin coat, you can apply sunscreen to the rest of their body by spraying it on or rubbing it into their skin. You’ll get some sunscreen on your dog’s hair, but since their coat is thin, the SPF easily reaches the skin.

What are the best ways to protect dogs from the sun?

The best ways to protect dogs from the sun include applying sunscreen on their skin and offering them plenty of water and shade when they’re outdoors, especially during peak sun hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Brands also make lightweight UPF clothing for pets that experts recommend considering, like shirts and hats. UPF apparel is especially useful for dogs with sensitive skin or who tend to lick sunscreen off their body after you apply it.

Meet our veterinary experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Dr. Andrew Simpson is a board-certified veterinary dermatologist at Animal Dermatology Clinics.
• Dr. Lisa Lippman is the director of virtual medicine at Bond Vet.

Why trust NBC Select?

I’m a reporter at NBC Select who has covered pets for over five years, including topics like kitten food, dog beds, cat toys and cat travel carriers. For this article, I interviewed three veterinarians about dog sunscreen and rounded up options that meet their guidance. I’m also a dog owner and I’ve cared for numerous dogs throughout my life as a dog walker and animal shelter volunteer.